This research was conducted using 24 lines and varieties of soybean from different maturity groups in a randomized complete block design with three replications, to evaluate the genetic correlation between department of seed oil and some important agronomic traits at Araghi Mahhaleh Agricultural Experimental Station of Gorghan in 1997. Results of analysis of variance showed significant differences among varieties in terms of traits under study at 1% probability level, which indicates the existence of genetic variations. Results of genetic correlation showed that percentage of protein, 100- seed weight (gr.), days to beginning of flowering, seed filling period and days to maturity had significant negative correlations while number of seeds! pod had significant positive correlation with percentage of oil (P< 1%). Results of path analysis showed that increase in percentage of oil was primarily due to decrease in percentage of protein. Days to beginning of flowering and days to maturity also had direct and negative effects on percentage of seed oil. The results showed that for selecting lines with higher percentage of seed oil, it is necessary that percentage of protein and days to maturity are placed in priority and lines with low percentage protein and early in maturity be selected.
Key words: Soybean, Oil, Path analysis
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